Food conveyer



` Jan. 11, 1944. R W` PERRY 2,338,734

FOODr CONVEYER Filed 091;. 25, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan- 1l, 1944- R.w. PERRY 2,333,734

FOOD coNvEYER Filed oct. 25, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 11,1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOOD CONVEYER Rex W. Perry, Hinsdale,Ill.

Application October 23, 1940, Serial No. 362,452

6 Claims.

My invention relates to conveyers for bacon slicing machines, and moreparticularly to the means for separating or spacing groups or batches ofthe bacon slices into units designed to be individually packed orwrapped at the remote end of the conveyer.

One object of the novel conveyer is to provide means having a continuousmotion harmonious with that of the bacon feed for facility in procuringthe separating action.

Another object of the invention is to provide a separating means whichis positive in action and adjustable in timing relative to the baconfeed.

An important object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for theseparating means which is exceedingly simple, sturdy and dependable.

With the above objects in view and any others which may suggestthemselves from the description to follow, a better understanding of theinvention may be had by reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich- Fig; 1 is a longitudinal section of the bacon feed, showing theseparating mechanism installed;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view on an enlarged scale; and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Since the manual separation oi sliced bacon into groups or batches isnot only slowbut also irregular at times, machine methods have beendevised for procuring the separation more quickly and neatly. Suchmachines as have come to my attention, however, employed intricate orextensive mechanisms, or such gearings as were not logically constitutedto operate efficiently or harmoniously with the bacon feed. Also, somedesigns appeared unhandy in one respect or another, making it difficultto adjust or service them. Probably, few if any of the devices underconsiderationv were operative, and it has therefore been my intention todevice a machine which eliminates the shortcomings of the past andrenders an eflicient and reliable service.

In accordance with the foregoing, specific reference to the drawingsindicates a suitable framework for the novel machine at I0. A rear eX-tension II of this framework forms a support for a bearing I2 to journala cross shaft I3 forming an element in the routine bacon conveyer. Thus,the shaft I3 carries a number of laterallyspaced sprockets I4 over whichare run the chain sections I5 of the said conveyer, which is designedlil to receive the bacon after it has been sliced by a knife I6 or othersuitable slicing mechanism and spaced into groups or batches. Theconveyer chain links are formed with surface plates Il which travel inrows as indicated by small arrows in a direction to ultimately lead thegroups of sliced bacon to the packaging zone. Thus, the conveyer I'Iruns forwardly beyond the slicing zone to be guided over another set ofpinions I8 constituted as the first set, then continuing to a table orother unit in the packaging zone, such unit not being shown.

As just'described, the routine bacon conveyer comprises a set oflaterally-spaced sections adapted ,for travel in unison in forwarddirection. The novel separating mechanism is designed to be interposedbetween or in alternation with the sections and features a series ofplatforms occurring between the routine conveyer sections and in alongitudinal succession. The platforms are indicated at 20, and they aredisposed for a forward movement harmonious with that of the routineconveyer plates I'I, but at a slower rate. Also, the height of theplatforms before and beyond the slicing Zone is of 4 material importanceand is controlled as will soon be explained.

As viewed in Fig. 1, the movement of the platforms 20 is such that theyare below the routine conveyer level prior to entering the slicing zone.However, on entering this zone, the platforms rise to a height slightlyabove that of the routine conveyer. Then, after the platforms have movedto a predetermined distance beyond the slicingv zone, each platformtakes a drop and continues its travel downwardly and away from the pathof the routine conveyer.

The platforms 20 are grouped in transverse sets, as shown in Fig. 3,each set being rigidly carried by a bottom bar 2|. The latter isreinforcedon the underside near the ends, as indicated at 22 to extenddownwardly with rods 23; also, vavcentral rod 24 depends from the bar2|.

The rods 23 and 24 pass slidably througha cross bar 25 which extends topoints near the sides of the frame I0. Here the latter is built up withoutwardly facing angle bars 26; and these carry inwardly facing andnested angle bars 21 and 28 designed to form a channel slide bearing forthe end portions of the cross bar 25. Side guards 28a are suitablyattached at 28h to the angle bar 26. f The cross bars 25 are disposed inexternal proximity to the course of a conveyer forming a basic featureof .thev .separating mechanism.

Thus, this conveyer comprises pairs of sprockets 29 and 30, these beingvlongitudinally spaced and receiving endless chains 3|. At suitabledistances, the cross bar is secured by means of brackets 32 to companionlinks of the chains 3|. Thus, the motion of these chains serves to carrythe platforms 20 forwardly along the top of the machine and then down inthe return direction.

The rods 23 are formed with rounded heads 33 at their lower ends, whilethe lower end of the rod 24 is threaded to receive a nut 34. Acompression spring is mounted on the rod 24 between the nut 34 and thecross bar 25. The drawings show that similar coil springs 36 are mountedbetween the heads 33 of the rods 23 and the cross bar, although the useof the springs 35 is optional. Incidentally, spacers 31 are insertedwithin the springs 36 to limit the rise of the heads 33 in respect tothe cross bar 25. The object of the coil spring 35--as well as of thecoil springs 36-is to normally but yieldably draw downwardly on theplatform assembly 2|.

The particular position of any platform assembly 2l is not of importanceuntil it approaches the slicing zone from below. From this .n

point on the position of the platform assembly is of essentialimportance, and I control such position positively by providing a pairof involute cams 33 in the path of followers formed by the heads 33 ofthe rods 23. These cams are secured at their lower ends to the frame I0by bolts 39 or other suitable fastening means; and the cams aresupported in their upper portions by a cross bar @il carried by brackets4| which are secured by bolts 42 to the sides of the frame.

It is apparent from Fig. 1 that during the forward motion of the spacingconveyer 3| each platform set is gradually boosted over the profiles ofthe cams 38 to assume -a position slightly below the surface of theroutine conveyer before the slicing zone is reached, the platform setthen rising to a height slightly above the routine conveyer, aspreviously mentioned. Each platform is of a length suitable f the pilingol. a series or batch of bacon slices B in overlapping sequence as shownto the extent of a given measure or weight. Thus, with the platform sethigher than the routine conveyer plates as the slices are formed, theseWill collect on the pla-tform set as the same moves forward.

The cams 38 are formed with straight dwells 'i3-beyond their highestportions, such dwells being parallel to the levels of the conveyersabove them. The dwells 43 extend so far as to insure the filling of atleast one platform set with sliced bacon. As the follower heads 33 of agiven platform set ride off the dwells 43, such set experiences a dropto its original position below the routine conveyer, so that the groupor batch of slices nds a support on the plates I1 of the routineconveyer. The latter is -geared to travel approximately 21/2 timesfaster than the spacing conveyer, so that on the departure of a givenplatform set the bacon slice group received by the routine conveyer willbe carried some distance forward before the next platform set behinddrops. This action gives the affected bacon slice group a considerabledeparture-or separation from the remaining pile to insure an ample spacebetween the slice groupsv along the routine conveyer as they are carriedtoward the packaging zone.

The speeds of the spacing and routine conveyers will be governed bysuitable variable means in accordance .with the number orl Weight ofbacon slices intended to be received or carried by each platform set.Thus, when slicing light bacon for spacing in half-pound groups orbatches, 14 to 16 slices will be required for each platform set, and thespeed of the spacing conveyer will be slower than for the slicing ofheavy bacon, of which 8 to 13 slices suflice for a halfpound.

In order that the platforms may maintain their raised level uniformly inand beyond the slicing zone, the grouped angle bars 21 and 28 areprovided as guides for the cross bar 25 and are flared at their entranceas indicated at 44.

It will be evident from the above description that I have provided aspacing mechanism which is designed as much as possible in harmony withthe position and movement of the routine conveyer. This factor not onlyplaces the spacing conveyer in intimate relation with the routineconveyer, but also enables both conveyers to follow the same operativecourse and to be built compactly. As noted, both conveyers are ofextremely simple design; and only the upper part of the spacing conveyercontains control means for the platform sets, no such means beingnecessary at the end and lower portions of the spacing conveyer. Thus,no extra mechanism is required for the conveyer along such portions, andthe control mechanism in the upper part of the spacing conveyer has nomoving parts, so that there is nothing to get out of line or out oforder. Further, the control is positive and cannot fail or vary. If anyadjustment or change is required, it may be made by varying the lengthof the platforms or the speeds of the conveyers to suit requirements orimprove results. Further, the manner in which the platform sets aremounted makes it easy and very handy to adjust or repair any platformset which may get out of order or lose its. tension, since each platformis out in the open as it rounds the forward end of its conveyer.

Incidentally, the upper portion of the conveyer group has been shownwith a slight rise in the direction of its travel. The reason for thisis to lessen the angle through which the bacon slices fall when leavingthe cutter, reducing the chances that a slice may fold or fall unevenly.However, the said portion of the conveyer group may be run horizontallyif these conditions are otherwise disposed of. Finally, it will beapparent that the novel machine has been designed with parts which aresimple, rugged, devoid of intricate or delicate mechanisms and in amanner t0 be economically manufactured and to withstand continuous usewithout frequent attention or repair.

While I have described the invention along specific lines, various minorchanges and refinements may be made without departing from itsprinciple, and I desire to consider all such changes and refinements ascoming within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. Apparatus for transferring food slices periodically-dispensed from aslicing unit comprising a conveyer under the slicing unit and movable ina direction to accumulate the slices in an overlapping series, theconveyer including a longitudinal series of sections, means to drop thelatter in consecutive order from the conveyer path at a given pointbeyond the slice-receiving zone, and other means to intercept the slicegroup of each dropping section for the support of such group.

2. The structure of claim l, said rst-mentioned means comprisingfollowers carried by the conveyer sections, and cams influencing thefollowers to control the normal and dropping movements of the sections.

3. The structure of claim 1, the conveyer including laterally-spacedendless chains in vertical planes, transverse supports carried bycompanion links of the chains, said Erst-mentioned means comprising rodscarried by the conveyer sections and slidable inwardly of the chainsthrough the supports, followers carried by the inner ends of the rods,stationary involute cams within the chains at points to boost theconveyer sections to the level of said path as they approach theslice-receiving zone, and dwells extended from said cams and terminatingto unseat the followers for the dropping of the conveyer sections asdescribed.

4. Apparatus for transferring food slices periodically dispensed from aslicing unit, comprising a succession of individual supports effectiveto accumulate the slices in an overlapping series departing laterallyfrom the slicing unit, each support accommodating a group of the slicesin such series, means to drop the supports in consecutive order at agiven point of departure from the unit, and other means to intercept theslice groups of the dropping supports and carry them away from thebalance of the series.

5. Apparatus for transferring food slices periodically dispensed from aslicing unit, comprising a conveyer under the unit and movable therefromto accumulate the slices in an overlapping series, the conveyer beingcomposed of` a succession of individual supports, each supportaccommodating a group of the slices in the series, means to divert thesupports in consecutive order from the conveyer path at a given point ofdeparture from the unit whereby to separate the slice groups insuccessive order from the balance of the series, and means to receiveeach slice group as separated and carry it away from the balance of theseries.

6. Apparatus for transferring food slices periodically dispensed from aslicing unit, comprising a conveyer under the unit and movable laterallytherefrom to accumulate the slices in an overlapping series, theconveyer being composed of a succession of individual supports, eachsupport accommodating a group of the slices in the series, means to dropthe supports in consecutive order from the conveyer path at a givenpoint of departure from the unit whereby to separate the slice groups insuccessive order from the balance of the series, and means to receiveeach slice group as separated and carry it away lfrom the balance of theseries.

REX W. PERRY.

